. CSO decries violence, calls for protection of right to peaceful assembly
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has defended the use of tear gas on pensioners in Lagos State during a peaceful protest in the state, saying the law permits the force to use proportionate force to quell any riotous or disorderly gathering.
The defence came barely 12 hours after the Lagos State Police Command denied using tear gas on the pensioners, insisting that pictures circulating online were AI-generated.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ikeja, SP Abimbola Adebisi, “The Command is particularly concerned about the circulation of a photograph purportedly depicting the alleged tear-gassing of the retirees. The photograph in circulation is AI-generated and does not represent what transpired at the protest venue.”
